The Beautiful (but very amateur) Game

This weekend was a momentous occasion… my first full game of 11-a-side in over 10 years!

Some of the lads I used to play 5-a-side with (but still work with) arranged a game against a sunday-league team they know. We all vaguely know each other, so it was a fairly relaxed atmosphere, but that didn’t mean the tackles would be any nicer. We lined up in our old-skool Lotto kit that resembled the Juventus home kit of the 80’s and for the 30 seconds before kick off we looked like we had potential. This was clearly a malicious rumour because within 5 passes it was evident that we needed some practice. Despite this we put in a good performance and went in at half time tied at one each, having held our own very well. I was frustrated because of the teams lack of organisation, but it was to be expected from a team who have never played 11-a-side together before. As the second half started we had gone flat and quickly conceded two goals, much to the annoyance of the defence who had been playing well, but had little support. After a few substitutions, myself and the forward decided to change things and drop him back in to the centre of midfield, allowing us to get control of the game with me playing a more defensive role to pick-up their best player who was shifting from side to side to get space. The change quickly made a difference, we dominated the middle of the pitch, broke down their play and began to play some good passing football of our own. It wasn’t long before we scored … or more to the point, before I scored – after a fantastic interception (if I say so myself) I was able to run at the central defenders who both followed our strikers run, leaving me to step through the middle and slot the ball home with my left foot. The score was now 3-2 to them and we were controlling the game. As we pushed on to get the equaliser it was clear that both teams had started to tire, big gaps started to open up on the flanks and their central midfield had disappeared. With 15 minutes to go, and having dominated for the last 20 minutes, we conceded a corner from a mistake at the back. The resulting cross was lobbed in to the back post, headed back across goal, saved by goal keeper and then frustratingly headed back in by their player to make the score 4-2 to them. We knew it was too late for us to get a win, but we pushed on to restore some pride and continually pressured their goal, but with the lack of a target man to dominate the aerial balls our attacks where repelled. With a few minutes to go one of our strikers got through on goal and despite the option of a simple through ball, tried the shot, putting it just wide. This summed up our game, we had been good at everything apart from the final ball or strike on goal. Despite losing we all had a really enjoyable game and received praise from our opponents which was as much as could expect given the circumstance.

After the game we all grabbed a quick shower and headed back to the boozer to watch the second half of the football. It was disappointing to watch Liverpool lose, again, but they did put sausage and chip butty’s on, so that saved me from sobbing in my pint.

Playing 11-a-side again and actually getting a chance to put my mark on the game has sparked my interest in playing more… watch this space.

Converting the Stubborn

Just a quick one today.

Last night I had 5 mates round for one of the regular xBox nights we have. Traditionally we have always played Pro Evolution Soccer (PES), but this time around I have decided to move my alliance to FIFA 10, something that was scowled upon by the traditionalists. After a week of persuasion I eventually managed to get a small group of sceptics to come round and give it a try. The format was familiar, arrive with a few beers, order in a chippy tea and play the tournament – cost to enter is one pound and no ‘top’ teams are allowed. Out of the hat I picked Boca Juniors, the worst team in the draw, but as I had played the game before this would help to even things out. After setting up the controllers to the alternative format so that we had a level playing field we got in some practice.

The result of the evening was that we all filled our faces, everyone loved the new puppy and I gained 60% acceptance, just two more people to keep the pressure on, if they all have a copy by xmas then the rest of the group will have to follow suit so they can play online … the mission continues.

Is FIFA as addictive as Heroin?

Well, so far I’m only one sentence in to this post and it’s taken me four days to get this far, so you work it out …

Liverpool FC: Stuttering Start or Lack of Quality?

I’ve just back from watching another poor, half-hearted performance by Liverpool.

There is no doubt that the loss of Xabi Alonso has been massive, and the way other players step up to fill that void is going to determine the success, or otherwise, this season. Glen Johnson has been superb and his pairing with Dirk Kuyt is working fantastically well. Alberto Aquilani on the other hand is still injured and no one knows how he will recover from surgery to put a chronic ankle problem that has resulted in him only playing 53 games in all competitions during his last 3 seasons at Roma. He has the potential to do big things at Liverpool and if he can fill in the gap between midfield and attack, that is so clearly missing now Alonso has gone, then he will be an Anfield hero. Should we become stronger upon his return to fitness and then go on to challenge hard for the title then much of this will surely be attributed to him, especially since our start to the season has been so poor!

So far Liverpool have lost 2 out of 3 games in the Premier League, resulting in a frustrated and anxious crowd. We only lost two games all of last season, so in order to improve on this we now cant afford to lose a single game, and we must turn a good proportion of the draws we ad last year in to wins. Many fans already believe that we are out of the race because of the class that Chelsea are showing, the result grinding ability of Man Utd and the rejuvenation of Arsenal, not to mention the massive leaps forward that Tottenham and Man City have made. My personal opinion is that the final points tally for this years winner will be much lower than last years and I also think that we will see more upsets that previous years.

I hope that Liverpool step up their game against Bolton at the weekend and then get in to a stride that will see us keep pace with other big clubs. I personally don’t think that the signs on show are a lack of quality, more just a lack of cohesion and lack the magical spark that unlocks teams and changes tough games. Lets hope the top players can step up their game and the introduction of Aquilani later on this year will have the impact we so desperately need it to have.

YNWA!

2009 So Far … 1st Jan to 1st May

Seeing as I’ve lost everything on the site I thought it was a good idea to make an article that covered everything that has happened so far this year, so here goes:

2009 began with Me, Lisa and her friends taking a drunken walk back from a fantastic New Years Eve party at Shaw Hill Hotel, Whittle-le-Woods Near Chorley. This seems to have set the tone for the fantastic year ahead. Because so much has happened I’m going to do a month by month break-down, Enjoy!

January

The year started with Geoff and Mygenet’s wedding, which was all planned at the last minute. Geoff being close family and us having grown up together, I knew I was going to heavily involved, what I didn’t expect was to be asked to usher 4 days before the wedding, and then with 3 days to go I was asked to step in as Best Man due to Geoff’s uncle have an arse of a boss who wouldn’t allow him to take the day off work … on a Saturday! Despite the chaos everything went really well and pictures are available on either of their Facebook accounts.

After the wedding the next two weeks, as it is every year, was filled with birthdays. One of these was a mate of mine and as his wife was out playing we organised a Pro-Evo night for the lads. Lots of Beer, Plenty of Chilli’s and a bit of gambling ensued!

At the end of the month it was Lisa’s birthday, so being the super boyfriend that I am I sent her off to Geneva to see a good friend of hers and spend 4 days getting blind drunk. Upon her return I was in the good books and was forced to endure several weeks of no nagging, drinking with the lads, playing on my xBox and getting spoilt rotten by my lady … terrible times! hehe

February

Everyone know what happens in February, and despite the fact that I hate it, I knew that Lisa was looking forward to it, so Valentines day was in need of planning. Being as how I was in the good books though, Lisa decided that she would take me out! This did feel some what emasculating, but she spared me from wearing the dress, matching shoes and hand bag, so I realised that I could let her be dominant for the day, in exchange for an all expenses paid visit to a fantastic Japanese restaurant in Liverpool and more Tiger Beer than is required to drown a … Tiger?

Next came another batch of close family birthday’s! Towards the end of the month an unusual night out was arranged with a few friends. The venue was the local town hall and the event was a ‘mystery meal’. This didn’t mean we’d get fed something random, it meant that all the staff involved in ’serving’ us where part of a larger play that taking place before us. The plot was of course a murder mystery and the acting was superb. After the police arrived the scene changed as we, as witnesses became involved in the interrogation of the cast, with the ultimate goal of guessing who the murder was. We all had a great night and its an experience I recommend everyone should try, especially if the entrance fee’s go to a good cause.

At the end of the month my car’s MOT, Tax and Service was due, so saving was required, but I did have one night out for a friends 30th. Everyone was there and it was a chance to introduce Lisa to another group of friends who I don’t see very often now we’ve finished playing football. The night was superb and was capped off nicely by the birthday boy being sick down someone’s back after pinching some shots that were meant for other people. Quality :-)

March

Early March was spent sorting my car and attempting to get back in to a routine at the gym, which I failed miserably to do. Other than that, nothing much seemed to happen.

In mid-March it was Mygenet’s birthday, so her and Geoff to decided to throw a small a party that doubled up as a house warming. Everyone had a good time filling their faces and getting to catch up on events since the wedding.

At the end of March myself and Lisa thought it would be nice for the parents to meet, seeing as they only lived a few hundred meters from each other. We had noticed that a life soul singer was on a very nice pub that wasn’t far from where we live, so we booked it. The night was fantastic, the music was great, the food was fantastic (despite a few slip up’s) and the parents got along fine. The night was duly topped off by the taxi having to pull over to let Lisa throw up all over the grass verge right in front of my parents … classy, lol.

April

April is always a crazy month in my life, but this year I decided to do something I’d been putting off for years … I booked to go to Ladies Day at Aintree Races. We both got dolled up and along with out friends had a fantastic day drinking champagne, being merry, losing our money and eating some of the best fish & chips i’ve ever come across. Cant wait till next year :-)

Next up was the usual round of birthdays that take place, including my own, at last. I got lots of nice presents from those close to me and had a good booze up with my mates at the local.

At the end of the month was something I’ve been looking forward too for months … Andy’s Stag-do in Calella, Spain! We were due to be picked up at 04:30 on Friday morning, so being the punch of alky’s that we are, we arranged to meet in the pub at 22:00 on Thursday! The land lady kept the boozer open for us until we got picked up, and so the mayhem began. We had four fantastic days enjoying a free bar, free food and funny nights out. The highlight of the weekend was the stag getting involved in a dance-off with the locals whilst wearing a beautiful red dress with black poker-dots, matching bag and a lovely elephant cock-piece! Coming a close second was Scott’s ability to fall asleep in the most stupid places and wake up covered in permanent marker! Third goes to the bar on the beach where we all chilled out with a pint of Amstel whilst listening to Bob Marley tunes, good times!

So as you can see, it’s been a busy few months. But that’s everything up to date … job done!